Mercer County Starbucks Becomes First To Unionize In NJ

MERCER COUNTY, NJ – The Starbucks in Hopewell, Mercer County became the first store to unionize in NJ on Monday.

Starbucks workers voted unanimously, 15-0, in favor of unionizing and joining Workers United.

"We are incredibly proud of the brave and strong Starbucks workers who voted to join Workers United. Our collective success in Hopewell today reflects the power that working people have to demand positive changes from their employers," Lynne Fox, International President of Workers United said in a statement.

Ballots went out for the Hopewell store on April 1. Employees announced their efforts to unionize on Jan. 11. Read More: Mercer County Starbucks Employees Announce Efforts To Unionize

"These baristas became union activists. They understood not only the importance of fighting to belong to a union for themselves but that the eyes of the entire labor movement were watching," the New Jersey AFL-CIO said in a statement. "We are incredibly proud to have supported our newest brothers and sisters throughout this process and to share in their victory." The New Jersey AFL-CIO is an umbrella group of unions representing over 1 million workers and their families.

Gov. Phil Murphy congratulated the workers on their win Monday.

“Starbucks should immediately recognize the union and enter into contract negotiations. Every worker has the right to be represented in the workplace, "Murphy said on Twitter Monday.

On April 14, Murphy had visited the Hamilton Township Starbucks in Mercer County to show his support for unionizing efforts.

Re. Bonnie Watson Coleman congratulated the workers at “my local Hopewell Starbucks” on their unanimous vote saying “when workers unite, they win.”

“All workers deserve the right to organize. It's time for the Senate to pass the PRO Act,” Watson Coleman said on Twitter.

Recently, 29 state legislators signed a letter to Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz in support of unionization efforts in the state. Read More: Starbucks Union In NJ? 26 Legislators Support Effort So Far

In the letter, the legislators called on Schultz to sign the Fair Elections Principles. The letter goes on to list the nine principles of fair elections, including not threatening workers with higher or lower wages or benefits "to gain support."

Two other Starbucks locations in the state - Hamilton and Summit — filed for their union elections. On April 7 and 8 ballots went out for the Summit and Hamilton locations. Results are expected soon.

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